Meet Erin Clay – a U.S. Navy veteran serving with the VetsWork program at Mt. Adams Institute.
Tell us a bit about your personal background. Where are you originally from?
I was raised in Norfolk, VA. I wasn’t from a military family but, having grown up there, I felt comfortable and somewhat acclimated to the Navy.
Tell us about your military background and why you joined the armed forces.
I was in the Navy from 2003-2008, assigned to a FA-18 A/C squadron that deployed with the USS Enterprise.
What did you do upon initially separating from the military?
I worked a couple jobs before deciding to pursue my degree using the GI Bill.
How did you learn about this program? What interested you or made you want to join?
I actually found the program on Indeed while looking for outdoor industry jobs. I had previously worked with the Forest Service and had enjoyed my work, so I was definitely interested in doing this kind of work again.
Tell us a bit about what you’ve done while in the program.
I am assigned to the James River & Warm Springs Ranger Districts and typically work out of Covington, VA. While I’ve been here, I have done a lot of trail projects, wildlife projects, developed recreation maintenance, and I have led a Youth Conservation Corps crew over the summer.
My favorite set of skills that I’ve developed over the term would be related to structural trail maintenance. I also got to participate in some wildland firefighting training and obtained the Leave No Trace Master Educator credential.
What have you enjoyed about this program? What are the benefits? What have been some of the challenges?
The best thing about the VetsWork program is the ability to delve into and develop skills and knowledge in a lot of different program areas. The challenge is that, coming in from the outside, you may not know what is available to you and you have to be self-advocating about seeking out and obtaining the training and experience that interests you.
What are your plans for the future? What do you hope to do after you leave the program?
Next year I will be returning to the program at another Ranger District. Eventually I will pursue permanent employment with the Forest Service or another federal land management agency.
What would you say to other recently separated veterans looking to make their next move? What should they know about joining a program like this?
Getting tapped into a work program specifically for veterans is the best thing you can do, because there are lots of opportunities and resources that you might not be aware of and veterans programs will help you identify which resources will be the most beneficial to you.
There will be cultural challenges crossing over from military to civilian work life, especially concerning chain of command, personal ambition and autonomy, and pace of work. Some of these will set you apart, others will frustrate you. Try not to let single issues get you down and be patient with your transition.